Trainer Paul Webber runs an in-form stable and has more chance of winners at Musselburgh on Friday. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Today's best bets, by Will Hayler

Paul Webber is still off my Christmas card list (not that it will bother him) after giving the talented Will Kennedy the boot from Time For Rupert – and the rest of his horses – at the end of last year.

It seemed a dramatic over-reaction to a couple of poor results, even if any trainer is obviously within his rights to change stable personnel whenever they see fit to do so. That said Webber is well on track for his best-ever season over the jumps and it will be no surpise if he can secure at least a double from the three horses he sends to Musselburgh on Friday.

The stable is two from eight with their runners at the track (none in the last five years) and Webber is heading north for the prevailing good ground at the course with horses who evidently appreciate a faster surface.

Lemon Drop Red (12.40) was a likeable three-times winner on the Flat for Ed Dunlop, who made his debut in a tough-looking novice hurdle at Kempton over Christmas, but belied his big odds to push the well-touted Ranjaan all the way. He hurdled like a natural and will surely have too much speed for the likes of Bowdlers Magic and High Office here.

Harris Garden (3.40) was a major eyecatcher on his debut at Doncaster and he can benefit from the sympathetic introduction he enjoyed there.

Key Cutter is the stable's other representative, but I'll take a chance that Safari Adventures (3.10) represents the better value dropping in grade and moved up in trip.

Veteran Star Galaxy (2.50) shaped with some promise on his first start for Dave Evans at Uttoxeter last month and has been found a very poor contest at Huntingdon by his new trainer. It will be disappointing if he can't take an extra step forwards from that reappearance and beat this moderate opposition.

Tipping competition — day five

The p-p-p-patent angle of Lameduck found two decent-priced winners, as did a couple of other players, but Copshaw retains the lead going into the final day of the competition. Will his early good work this week be enough to see him hold off the closing pack and take the title?

This week's prize is a copy of The Betting Edge, the latest book by David Lee-Priest, author of the Against The Odds series of books. It's a guide to improving your betting, the blurb promising sections on "strategy, psychology, money management, spread betting, the exchanges, and practical recommendations to help you win money". That said, looking at the high scores this week, it doesn't seem like most of you need any help finding winners.

As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. You may join in for the first time today, but your starting score will be -12.00.

In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.